What are Carbon Emissions and Footprints?
August 20th, 2009 Posted in Green Living & News
Ever catch yourself in front of a cityscape with smoke stacks outlining the horizon before you and wonder, “What’s my carbon footprint?”
If you haven’t asked yourself that question, you should, as it pertains specifically to your future and that of the planet. But what is a carbon footprint anyway?
A carbon footprint is the measurement used to estimate your personal carbon emissions. The term, “carbon emissions,” refers to the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere–a major cause of global warming.
Scientists and researchers say carbon dioxide is the largest human-made contribution to the greenhouse effect, responsible for 10-25% of it.
Methane and ozone are also greenhouse gases, but come nowhere near the amount of carbon dioxide that fogs up what would otherwise be fresh air.
Carbon emissions stem mainly from the burning of fossil fuels–fuels formed from the decomposition of buried dead organisms that lived eons ago–filled with high concentrations of carbon that, when mixed with oxygen during combustion, create CO2.
Here are some other factors beyond the burning of fossil fuels that are affecting our environment for the worse:
- Land use changes: Deforestation in the Amazon and other tropic areas account for almost 10% of greenhouse gases. The less trees there are to absorb the carbon dioxide, the more CO2 is left to its own devilish devices.
- Livestock: Through a digestive process called, “Enteric fermentation,” cows and other livestock expel an excess of methane and a stack of excrement that, believe it or not, seriously add to the greenhouse effect. Agricultural byproducts account for more than 10% of greenhouse gases.
In his blog on the Planet Green website, Collin Dunn reports the average American’s yearly carbon footprint is close to 20 tons, far exceeding the global average of 4 tons.
Dunn recommends three ways to cut the American average in half. I’ll throw in a fourth for good measure:
- Become a weekday vegetarian (lose 7 tons).
- Buy green power (lose 4 tons).
- Cut 3 flights per year (lose 5 tons).
- Buy organic insecticide (lose some more).
Rob Peach
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5 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!
By kim t on Aug 29, 2009
reducing our carbon footprint through the proper use of organic, more natural methods rather than harsh chemicals with serious after-effects is a very big thing. most people don’t consider the problems that using such nasty chemicals can cause for us and our pets later in life. it’s great to find a company with a conscious outlook on the management of annoying pests with our pets and our own health in mind!